Iraq Wants Rules For U.S. Security Operations

The move comes in response to the alleged killings of unarmed Iraqi civilians by U.S. soldiers in the Iraqi town of Al-Hadithah last year.

U.S. military spokesman Major General William Caldwell today said that the incident doesn't represent how coalition troops treat civilians.

"This tragic incident is in no way representative of how coalition forces treat Iraqi civilians," Caldwell said. "Any allegations of unethical or criminal behavior against Iraqi civilians by coalition forces will be thoroughly investigated and anyone found to have committed violations will be punished, as appropriate."

Earlier, the top U.S. general in Iraq, Lieutenant General Peter Chiarelli, said he had ordered that U.S. troops be trained in the ethics of war.

Chiarelli said the training program will be aimed at teaching U.S. soldiers "professional military values" and "disciplined, professional conduct in combat."

(AP)